City guide

🇦🇪 Living in Dubai

A tax-free global hub with year-round sun, exceptional safety, and a vast international community

At a glance

Population

3,600,000

Currency

AED

Avg. salary

€45,000–€95,000

Effective tax

Climate

Hot desert

Tax regime

0% personal income tax

Nomad visa

Yes

Net salary calculator

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Cost of living

Rent (1-bed, center)	€1,620/mo
Rent (1-bed, suburb)	€1,023/mo
Groceries (single)	€255/mo
Groceries (family)	€760/mo
Transport pass	€84/mo
Restaurant (2 people, mid-range)	€76
Coffee	€4.50
Gym membership	€90/mo
Healthcare	Private health insurance is mandatory for residents and usually provided by the employer; public healthcare is reserved for UAE nationals

Frugal

€1,800

/month

Moderate

€2,800

/month

Comfortable

€4,200

/month

Budget calculator

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Why choose Dubai?

No personal income tax, so salaries are taken home in full

Exceptional safety and cleanliness, with very low crime by global standards

A vast international community: over 200 nationalities, with English as the language of business and daily life

Year-round sunshine, modern infrastructure, and a major international airport hub

Several residence routes, including the Golden Visa for investors and a remote-work visa for professionals employed abroad

A strategic location bridging Europe, Asia, and Africa, within easy flight reach of all three

Quality of life

Overall

Safety

9.5

Healthcare

Education

7.5

Air Quality

6.5

Culture

Expat Community

9.5

English Proficiency

Moving to Dubai : checklist

1Secure a residence visa first; the most common route is employer sponsorship tied to a job offer
2Apply for your Emirates ID, which is required for banking, tenancy, and most services
3Search listings on Bayut and Property Finder; rent is usually paid annually via post-dated cheques
4Register your tenancy contract through Ejari, which is mandatory
5Open a UAE bank account once you have your Emirates ID and residence visa
6Take out private health insurance, which is mandatory for residents and often provided by employers
7Get a Nol card for the metro, tram, and buses across Dubai
8Note that summers are very hot, so most daily life moves indoors with air conditioning from June to September

Frequently asked questions

Is Dubai really tax-free?+

There is no personal income tax in Dubai, so salaries are received in full. It is not entirely tax-free, however: the UAE applies a 5 percent value-added tax on most goods and services, and a 9 percent corporate tax on business profits above a threshold, introduced in 2023. For an employed individual, take-home pay is the full salary.

What visa options are available for living in Dubai?+

Several. The most common is an employer-sponsored work visa tied to a job offer, valid two years. The Golden Visa offers five or ten year self-sponsored residence for investors, entrepreneurs, and exceptional talent. The Green Visa gives five year self-sponsored residence for skilled workers and freelancers. A one year remote-work visa is available for professionals employed by a company outside the UAE. Requirements vary by route.

Is Dubai expensive to live in?+

Dubai has a flexible cost of living that depends heavily on lifestyle and area. A one-bedroom in a central district averages around 1,600 euros per month, with more affordable areas closer to 1,000 euros. Housing is the biggest variable. The absence of income tax means a given salary stretches further than the headline cost might suggest.

Can expats settle permanently in Dubai?+

Expats can live in Dubai long term through renewable residence visas, including the ten year Golden Visa, and can sponsor family members. However, citizenship is generally not available to expats, so Dubai functions as a long-term residence rather than a path to a passport for most. Residence remains tied to holding a valid visa.

Is English widely spoken in Dubai?+

Yes. English is the de facto language of business and daily life in Dubai, where the large majority of residents are expats from over 200 nationalities. Arabic is the official language and appears on signage and official documents, but most professional and everyday interactions happen comfortably in English.